Pendulum-electrode for spark-plugs.



T. DE ROODE. PENDULUM ELECTRODE FOR SPARK PLUGS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. X912.

' Pfl/Efilltfii D00. 7-

'rninnnn-mnoonn, or new YORK, N. Y.

PENDULUIvI-ELECTRODE' FOR SPARK-ELUGS Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. *7, 13. 15.

Application filed April 6, 1912. Serial No. 688,830.

To all whom it may oonqern Be it known that I, .lammnn on Room, a subject of the Queen of the Netherlands, residing in New York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pendulum-Electrodes for Spark- Plugs, of which the following is a specification.

present invention relates to improve ments in ignition devices for gas and caloric engines, and especially to that type of ignition device known as spark plugs, such as areused in high tension jump spark systems.

In its preferred form, my invention com prises a pendulum electrode and, slightly eccentric to its arc of vibration, a fixed electrode, preferably arcuate and spaced from the pendulum the proper distance proportionated to the strength of the current to be used, to insure sparks of maximum eliiciency.

One of the objects oi my invention is to prevent the formation, during use, of soot bridges, and to remove insulaling coatings that are apt to form between the two terminals in such devices, thereby obviating the necessity for constant removal of the plug for cleaning.

In devices of this type, the two sparking terminals are usually arranged in certain fixed relation to one another and have no provision for the prevention of the bridging of the two terminals by hydrocarbons, or other like troubles from lubricating oils.

As is well known in devices of this class, if the spark gap, which is customarily arranged between the two terminals, ,is ob structed by a bridge of soot or other spark preventing materiahthe intensely hot spark which usually fires the charge in the gas engine will not arc, or the current may be conducted by the soot bridge without igniting the gas charge in the cylinder. Also, fixed terminal jump spark devices usually become coated after a period ol use with a covering of oil or hydrocarbons thereby be coming more or less insulated and effectually preventing the formation of the necessary arc for firing the explosive gas charge.

The above noted defects are overcome in my improved plug by making the terminals movable as regards one another. either one or both of the said terminals being loosely mounted and by the constant movement of the members, which movement is caused by the vibration of theengine, the formation of insulating bridges of foreign material or coatings are overcome, the said movable ter-- minal members constantly freeing themon selves by the said movement. it is necessary, however, that during this movement or swinging oithe terminal member or members, while swinging or stationary, they must always maintain a gap well within the arcing strength of the current furnished to them,and to do this I have arranged in all of the modifications shown in the accompany ing drawings a limiting stop means, which prevents the swinging terminals from com-- ing into absolute contact with one another and at the same time control the maximum possible arcing gap.

In'the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a complete spark plug in section, with a pendulum terminal. Figs. Qand 3 are de tails of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, 6, '7 and 8 show modifications of my device.

In Fig. 1 the /plug is shown comprised of the central electrode 1 having the usual an thumb nut Q mounted thereon for rcceivi 0 one end of a wire or 'iwire clip for transmit-- ting current thereto. An insulating core portion 3, which i l'iay be made of any suitablc insulating material, is seated in an out shell 4-, the said core being held in erative position by a threaded bcshi n and the said core member being tl locked against movement. At the lower end of the central electrode 1 is arranged a an swinging terminal member or pendulum electrode 6, which terminal member so located and arranged as to be caused to swing or vibrate by the vibration of the engim-i. This vibration is restricted to a limited amount so that at all times, and during i nibst violent movement, the annular spark gap 7 is always a fixed amount, it being impossible. for the terminal member 6 to contact with the edge 8 at the lower portion of we the shell member 4, which forms the pposite terminal thereof. The limiting or this swinging or vibration is shown as be g due to a flat portion 9 which is arranger. at the bottom of the central electrode 1, i

and during the oscillation of the said terminal. pendulum (3 the flat portion intercepts the upper portion and prevents more than. limited movement thereof.

it will be observed that the sparking edge 8 of the fixed electrode is arcuate, nearly, but not quite concentric with the arc of vibration of the pendulum so that during its vibrations, its distance from said edge varies within narrow limits and prevents the formation of soot bridges.

In Fig. 2 is shown a bottom view of the.

of the electrode head 11. when in assembled position. The ball pendulum is then freely suspended in relation to the said terminal and is susceptible to vibratory movement.

Y It will be noted that the grooves 10-10. and

the bore 12 in the electrode head 11, Fig. 2, are larger than the cross sectional area of the pendulum arms 14 and 15 thus giving the pendulum a universal motion, While limiting its vibrations.

In Fig. 4, like numbers are used to designate parts similar to those described for Fig. 1, with the exception that the central insulating core member 3 has a chambered portion 16 therein into which is set the electrode 1 with its head portion 11. The pendulum 6, however, is somewhat different in construction to that described for Fig. 1, the

said diti'erence being comprised of "a coneshaped neck portion 17 which is arranged between the said ball portion 6 and its retaining arms 14: and 15.-

In Fig. 5 the arrangement of the core. shell and electrode member, together with the movable terminal, is exactly the same as that described for Fig. 1, with the exception that the terminal 8 of the outer shell portion 4: is of the "familiar wire type, and is bent over in such a' manner as to be within arcing distance of the pendulum 6 which is loosely attached to the central electrode 1.

In Fig. 6 the principal parts there shown are the same as those described for Figs. 1 and 5, with the exception that another form of terminal member 8 is a part of or inte gral with the outer shell. portion 4, and the limited movement of the loosely mounted terminal member 6 never entirely closes the annular sparking gap 20 between the shell terminal 8 and the swinging terminal 6.

xl'u the variant shown in Fig. 7, the fixed terminal is a ball 21 on the axial conductor 1 and the pendulum is a bail (3,.eccentric to the ball 21 and loosely mounted in suitable bearings .33 and 4 at the lower part of the outer shell l. Any movement or vibration of the engine will cause the bail terminal portion 8 to oscillate or rock to and fro.

Fig. 8 shows a variant in which the pendulum 6 is an inverted saucer or cone having an opening 26 at its upper portion, the

said opening being somewhat larger in diameter than the stud portion 11 on the central electrode 1, thereby permitting a certai'p limited amount of vibratory movement,

therebetween, of a pivoted extension arranged on one of said terminals, and means to limit the-radius of movement of said extension to a distance spaced apart from said other terminal. p

2. The combination in a spark plug, comprising a pair of terminals having insulation therebetween, of a pivoted downwardly hanging extension arranged on one of said terminals, and means carried by said suspended extension to limit its radius of movement to a distance spaced apart from said other terminal.

3. The combination in a spark plug, comprising a pair of'terminals having insulation therebetween, of a loosely suspended downwardly hanging extension arranged on one of said. terminals, and means carried by said'suspended extension and its point of attachment to limit the movement of said extension.

4. In a spark plug comprising a central insulating core, a shell member therefor having a. terminal thereon, a bushing member for retaining and sealing said insulating core in said shell member, a central electrode fixedly mounted in said insulating core, one end of said electrode being arranged to receive therein a wire, the other end thereof having arranged thereon a swiveled terminal member, said swiveled terminal member being mounted in proximity to the terminal portion of said shell member, and a limiting means on said electrode whereby the said swiveled terminal member' may be limited in its oscillations.

5. A sparking device comprising a freely swinging pendulum electrode and a fixed electrode insulated and spaced therefrom.

6. A sparking device comprisinga freely swinging pendulum electrode and eccentric thereto and insulated and spaced therefrom, a fixed electrode.

7. In a sparking device a pair of spaced and insulated electrodes, one of said electrodes being a gravity controlled pendulum, and approach limit means adapted to limit the vibration of said. pendulum and prevent contact between said electrodes.

8. A spark plug having an electrode and a weight unitarily connected thereto and mcansfor oscillatably supporting said clcctrode and-weight cccentrically of the center of mass of the same, a lateral movement of claim:

said plug being operative to oscillate said electrode.

9.. A spark plug having electrodes supported thereon, one of which consists of an elongated freely swinging member, having a pivoted end which is situated in operative relation to the other electrode.

10. A spark plug comprising electrodes supported thereon one of which is relatively long and is loosely pivoted at ing the other end free to swing by force of gravity only, and a horizontal pivot support for said pivoted electrode.

11. A spark plug of the character described having electrodes and means consi sting of a depending weight carried by one of said electrodes for causing oscillation of the said electrode when the position of the said spark plug is altered with respect to .be direction of the force of gravity through v..aid electrode and its depending weight.

12-. A spark plug comprising a stationary member, a stationary electrode, a pendulumlike electrode one end of which is pivoted in operative relation to the stationary electrode. a horizontal pivot support for the said pendulum electrode, the depending end of the said pendulum-like electrode contacting with a stationary part of the said spark plug to compel an oscillatory. movement of the said pendulum-like oscillatory electrode and to prevent revolution thereof.

13. A spark plug comprising a stationary body portion, a stationary electrode axially situated with respect to said stationary member, an elongated electrode pivotally supported at one end in axial alinement with the said stationary member and the other end of said elongated electrode normally occupying a depending position.

14. A spark plug comprising a stationary body portion, a stationary electrode, and an electrode pivotally supported at one end in operative relation with said stationary electrode, the other end normally assuming a depending position, whereby the said electrode is caused to swing in an oscillatory path by the vibrations of the said plug.

15. A spark plug comprising a stationary body portion, a stationary electrode, and an elongated electrode pivotally supported at one end in operative relation with, and at a constant distance from, said stationary elecone end leavtrode and extension scribed, having trode, the other end depending position.

16. A spark plug provided with and supporting electrodes, one of which is. pivoted to move freely and is provided with a normally depending portion whereby it oscillates as its position is altered with respect to the direction therethrough.

' 17. A spark plug having an electrode and an extension unitar'ily connected thereto and means for oscillatably supporting said elececcentrically of the center of mass of the same, a lateral movement of said plug being operative to oscillate said electrode.

18. A spark plug having an electrode and means for oscillatably supporting said electrode eccentrically of the center of mass of the same, a lateral movement of said plug being operative to oscillate said electrode.

19. A spark plug having electrodes supported thereon, one of which consists of a freely swinging member, having a pivoted end, which is situated in operative relation to the other electrode.

20. A spark plug comprising electrodes supported thereon, one of which is loosely pivoted at one end leaving the other end free to swing by force of gravity only, and a horizontal pivot support for said. pivoted electrode.

21. A spark normally assuming a plug of the character deelectrodes and means consisting of a depending extension carried by one of said electrodes for causing oscillation of the said electrode when the position of the said spark plug is altered with respect to the direction of the force of gravity through said electrode and its depending extension.

22. The combination in a spark plug, comprising a pair of terminals, of a loosely suspended extension arranged on one of said terminals, and means carried by said suspended extension and its point of attachment to limit the movement of said exten- S1011.

TRIMBLE ROODE.

Witnesses:

H. D. PENNY, HENRY E. GREENWOOD.

of the force of gravity 

